New Coach

Whitley County High School named its ninth football coach in school history Monday, installing Roger Gentry to run the football program. Gentry, who had spent the previous five years as offensive coordinator at the University of the Cumberlands, inherits a team that went 4-7 last season and lost in the first-round of the playoffs to Lexington Henry Clay.
Gentry’s first goal is to get the kids out for football. “We want to find the kids that have an interest in the program. We want to get them out for football.”
“The second goal is to get them in the weight room,” Gentry said. “I know the majority of the kids are in the weight room during school, but there’s going to have to be one for after school for those kids that are not involved. Right now, it’s the numbers. You are going to be more successful when you have more kids to pick from.”
“Recruiting and getting the weight program started will be the two main chores,” said Gentry.
The new coach plans to get his feet wet this week by meeting and talking to the assistant coaches. “I am going to talk to everyone of the assistant coaches and see what their feelings are and where they are at,” said Gentry. “I want to add a couple of new assistants but I want to sit down and find out what their thinking is. I know they have some good coaches on staff.”
“I think Whitley County can compete in the 4A district,” Gentry said. “It boils down to having the kids and the numbers.”
“When they come out of the eighth grade, holding them together is a big key,” said Gentry. “There are so many things for kids to do today than go out there and bang their heads for two or three hours practicing football. But, that’s where we have to do a good job tying in the interest to the kids and making them believe they can be successful.”
“I think the 19 years experience he has at the high school and college level will be invaluable to him and this program,” said Whitley County Superintendent Lonnie Anderson, who was a member of the search committee. “He has coached various positions at different levels and has experienced success as an assistant coach and head coach. We are hoping that he will bring success to the Whitley County High School program.”
Gentry helped lead the University of the Cumberlands to three consecutive eight win seasons, finishing in the top 20 the past three years. Gentry coached the offensive line and was offensive coordinator for the offense that has won the NAIA rushing title three years running. In addition to leading the nation in rushing a year ago, Gentry’s Cumberlands offense also set several school records for throwing the ball including most yards and touchdowns.
On accepting the position Gentry remarked, “I’m excited to be part of the Whitley County School system. It’s obvious that the team is supported well by both administration and fans. I see no reason why Whitley County can’t be a highly successful team on a consistent basis. I’m looking forward to getting to know the players and getting started.”
Before coaching at the Cumberlands, Gentry had an extensive career as a high school coach in Georgia and Tennessee, His lone stint as a head coach was a one year tenure at Rockwood High School in Tennessee where he went 7-3 in 1995 and was named Region 7 Coach of the Year.
Gentry served as a high school assistant at Sandy Creek High School in Fayetteville, Georgia, where he was offensive coordinator and helped lead his team to a quarterfinal finish in the state playoffs in 1999, and a semi-final appearance in 2000. Gentry had a highly successful playing career at Carson Newman College where he played on a national championship team.
Gentry and his his wife, Kelly, have two daughters in the Whitley County school system, Katie-Jo, 14 and Jennilee, 11.